End of summer forecast: Bet on a white Christmas

A white Christmas has eluded southern Ontario during recent years, but that will likely change.

According to the latest Old Farmer’s Almanac, Canadian Edition, GTA residents can expect a heap of snow just in time for the holidays.

The 2020 edition predicts the winter is going to be “a season full of snow, snow and more snow. And more snow.”

“This winter will be a Game of Snows, as provinces vie to see who has the most flurries, squalls, storms, and good old- fashioned ‘when will it end?’ snowdumps,” says Jack Burnett, managing editor of the almanac.

A cyclist is pictured on Bathurst St. last January after the first big dump of snow in 2019. (Jack Boland Toronto Sun)Jack Boland /
Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

The annual publication says the recent warming trend will continue across the nation, with most of Canada experiencing above-normal temperatures on average this coming winter, spring and next summer. But we’ll also be experiencing above-normal precipitation during the 2019-20 winter, meaning we’ll have to clear more snow than usual.

While parts of Quebec, and the southern portions of Alberta and British Columbia will be spared the worst of the snow, they won’t be entirely off the hook. These areas should expect rain, freezing rain, and sleet throughout the season.

Southern Ontario residents will endure cold spells in the latter half of November, January, February and early March. The snowiest periods will be in the first half of December and, again, in January and February.

To counter that, next summer’s going to be a scorcher.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac is ready annually by 1.5 million Canadians who look for everything from weather trends to early frosts — and even home remedies and recipes.

It even covers coming trends — the new year will see high-tech health care for pets, fitness trackers for dogs, cats and cows and “Traschercise,” a workout that could become the next fitness obsession.

It’s considered North America’s oldest annual publication that brims with whimsy and folksy charm.